1. Agreement to these Terms

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) are a binding agreement between you and Friend in LA (“Friend in LA,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) regarding websites, apps, and related services we operate at friendinla.com and affiliated domains (collectively, the “Service”). By creating an account, accessing, or using the Service, you agree to these Terms, our Privacy Policy, Cookie Notice, Community Guidelines, and any product-specific terms linked at checkout or on product pages (including Refunds & Cancellation, Event Terms, Verification Terms, and Affiliate Terms).

If you do not agree, do not use the Service. We may update these Terms. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date and may provide additional notice (for example in-app or by email). Continued use after the effective date of updated Terms constitutes acceptance, except where applicable law requires a different process.

2. Who we are and where we operate

Friend in LA is a local-first social and dating community for adults in Greater Los Angeles. Features may be limited or unavailable outside our supported ZIP / service area. We may expand or narrow the service area over time.

Contact for legal and product notices: use Contact support with subject “Legal notice,” or the email address published in account/support communications for friendinla.com.

3. Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter a binding contract.
• You must not be prohibited from using online dating or social services under applicable law.
• You must not be previously banned from Friend in LA, unless we reinstate you in writing.
• You may maintain one personal account. Business, press, or partner accounts require our prior written authorization.
• You represent that information you provide is accurate and kept reasonably up to date.

4. Accounts, verification, and security

You must register with an email you control and complete required verification steps before full member access. US phone verification via SMS is required for active membership. Email verification, re-authentication, device checks, and other security steps may be required for sensitive actions.

You are responsible for safeguarding credentials, devices, and session access. Notify us promptly of unauthorized use. We may suspend accounts that appear compromised.

Optional Admin Identity Verification and Elite qualification are governed by Verification Terms and Elite program rules. Badges describe specific checks or approvals — not character references, background checks, or offline safety warranties.

5. The Service

Subject to these Terms and your plan entitlements, the Service may include:

• Profile creation, discovery within a chosen radius, likes, Super Likes, and mutual-match messaging
• In-app video calls (acceptance required by both parties)
• Community rooms / lounges by membership level (including paid and Elite lounges)
• Member and Elite events with RSVP, waitlists, and optional tickets
• Billing for Free, Plus, Premium, Elite (after approval), and one-time feature packs
• Safety tools such as block, report, and moderation

We do not guarantee matches, responses, event availability, or any offline outcome. Features may change as we improve the product.

6. Membership, Elite, and billing

We offer a Free tier and paid plans (currently Plus, Premium, and Elite after qualification). Paid subscriptions renew automatically until you cancel in Manage billing or through the Stripe customer portal linked there. Prices, taxes, and entitlements are shown at checkout and may change for future renewals with notice where required.

Elite is not a self-serve upgrade. It is intended for wealthy and high-profile peers (including actors, business owners, models, popular social stars, politicians, pro athletes, popular musicians, and major influencers) who want to date or socialize with others at that level. Elite requires application, a non-refundable setup fee (currently $499 USD), admin approval, and then a separate Elite subscription. Paying does not grant Elite status.

Feature packs and one-time products (for example Super Likes, Spotlight, Profile Boost, Who Liked Me pass, Read receipt pass, Admin Identity Verification) are billed separately. We may hide packs already included in your membership.

Refunds and cancellations are governed by the Refund & Cancellation Policy. Failed payments may enter a grace period before entitlements pause. Chargebacks without contacting support may result in suspension while we investigate.

7. User content and license

You retain ownership of content you submit (photos, prompts, messages, event feedback, and similar). You grant Friend in LA a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, display, reproduce, adapt (for technical formats), and process that content solely to operate, secure, moderate, improve, and promote the Service (including showing your profile to other members according to your settings), and to comply with law.

You represent that you have all rights needed to grant this license and that your content does not infringe others’ rights or violate law. We may remove content that violates these Terms or Community Guidelines.

8. Conduct

You agree to follow the Community Guidelines. Without limiting those rules, you must not harass, threaten, scam, spam, impersonate, scrape, reverse engineer (except where allowed by law), circumvent safety or billing controls, or use the Service for commercial solicitation without our written permission.

We may investigate reports, limit features, remove content, or suspend or terminate accounts.

9. Matching, messaging, rooms, and calls

Discovery, likes, messaging, lounges, and video calls depend on mutual consent, plan entitlements, safety rules, and product availability. Either party may end a conversation or call. Calls are not recorded by default by Friend in LA; participants remain responsible for complying with recording-consent laws.

10. Events

In-person Events are subject to Event Terms. Venue privacy, RSVP, tickets, waitlists, and conduct rules apply. Participation is at your own risk except where liability cannot be limited under applicable law.

11. Affiliates

If you participate in our referral program, the Affiliate Terms apply in addition to these Terms.

12. SMS, email, and communications

By verifying a phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages necessary for verification and account security. Message and data rates may apply. Optional marketing emails and SMS (if offered) are controlled by preferences and unsubscribe / STOP mechanisms. Transactional and security messages may still be sent as needed to operate the Service.

13. Intellectual property

The Service, including software, design, trademarks, and logos, is owned by Friend in LA or its licensors. Except for a limited license to use the Service as intended, no rights are granted. You may not use our brand assets except as expressly permitted (for example approved affiliate assets).

14. Copyright complaints (DMCA)

If you believe content on the Service infringes your copyright, send a notice to support with subject “DMCA Notice” including: (a) your contact information; (b) identification of the work and the allegedly infringing material (URL or profile); (c) a statement of good-faith belief; (d) a statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and you are authorized; and (e) your physical or electronic signature. We may remove content and terminate repeat infringers in appropriate circumstances.

15. Third-party services

Payments are processed by Stripe and subject to Stripe’s terms. Maps, SMS, email, hosting, and similar providers may process data as described in our Privacy Policy. We are not responsible for third-party websites or services you choose to use outside Friend in LA.

16. Disclaimers

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT MEMBERS ARE WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE.

VERIFICATION BADGES AND ELITE STATUS ARE LIMITED SIGNALS ABOUT CHECKS OR APPROVALS WE PERFORMED — NOT WARRANTIES OF SAFETY, WEALTH, CHARACTER, OR COMPATIBILITY.

17. Limitation of liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW, FRIEND IN LA AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE SERVICE OR OFFLINE CONTACT WITH OTHER MEMBERS, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY.

OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SERVICE WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID US FOR THE SERVICE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (US$100).

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; in those cases liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited under law (including certain liability for gross negligence or willful misconduct where applicable).

18. Indemnity

You will defend and indemnify Friend in LA and its personnel against claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your content, conduct, offline interactions, or violation of these Terms, except to the extent caused by our gross negligence or willful misconduct.

19. Dispute resolution; arbitration; class waiver

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, excluding conflict-of-law rules. Except for (i) small-claims court matters within jurisdictional limits, or (ii) claims for injunctive relief regarding intellectual property or unauthorized access/abuse of the Service, any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by JAMS in Los Angeles County, California, under its applicable rules.

YOU AND FRIEND IN LA WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

Opt-out: You may opt out of arbitration within thirty (30) days of first creating an account by emailing support with subject “Arbitration Opt-Out” and your account email. Opting out does not affect other Terms.

20. Termination

You may stop using the Service and request account deletion subject to billing, fraud, and legal retention obligations. We may suspend or terminate access for violations, risk, prolonged inactivity, or discontinuation of the Service. Sections that by nature should survive (including licenses we need to retain for legal/safety purposes, disclaimers, liability limits, indemnity, and dispute terms) will survive termination.

21. Apple / Google app store terms

If you access the Service through a mobile app store, you acknowledge that the store provider is not a party to these Terms and is not responsible for the Service or its content, maintenance, or support, except as required by the store’s rules. Purchases made through an app store may also be subject to that store’s billing and refund rules.

22. General

• Entire agreement. These Terms and incorporated policies are the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Service.
• Severability. If a provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect.
• No waiver. Failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.
• Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without our consent. We may assign in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
• Notices. We may provide notices via the Service, email, or your account. Legal notices to us go through support with subject “Legal notice.”
• Force majeure. We are not liable for delays or failures due to events beyond reasonable control.

23. Contact

Questions about these Terms: Contact support.